Wu Yi-chen
吳宜臻
Member of the Legislative Yuan
In office
1 February 2012 – 31 January 2016
ConstituencyRepublic of China
Personal details
Born
Wu Mei-hui

(1970-04-23) 23 April 1970 (age 53)
Taipei County, Taiwan
NationalityRepublic of China
Political partyDemocratic Progressive Party
Alma materNational Taiwan University
National Chiao Tung University

Wu Yi-chen (Chinese: 吳宜臻; pinyin: Wú Yízhēn; born 23 April 1970) is a Taiwanese lawyer and politician.

Early life

She was born Wu Mei-hui and attended National Taiwan University,[1] where she earned a bachelor's degree in law before obtaining an LL.M from National Chiao Tung University.[2] Prior to serving on the Legislative Yuan, Wu was leader of the Taipei Association for the Promotion of Women's Rights.[3][4]

Political career

Electoral history

Wu was nominated for an at-large legislative seat in 2011, representing the Democratic Progressive Party, and elected via party list proportional representation.[5][6] She was named the DPP candidate for the magistracy of Miaoli County in April 2014.[7][8] During the campaign, Wu pledged to establish a voting process for public construction projects in light of the Dapu incident. She also promised financial reform within the Miaoli County Government.[9] Wu lost the magisterial election to Kuomintang candidate Hsu Yao-chang.[10]

2014 Miaoli County Magistrate Election Result
No. Candidate Party Votes Percentage
1 Hsu Yao-chang KMT 147,547 46.59%
2 Kang Shi-ru (康世儒) Independent 60,356 19.06%
3 Jiang Ming-xiu (江明修) Independent 14,978 4.73%
4 Chen Shu-fen (陳淑芬) Independent 2,137 0.67%
5 Zeng Guo-liang (曾國良) Independent 1,807 0.57%
6 Wu Yi-chen DPP 89,838 28.37%

She planned to contest Hsu's vacant legislative seat, but left the race after Sunflower Student Movement leader Chen Wei-ting [zh] launched an independent bid for the office.[11][12] The Democratic Progressive Party pulled their support of Chen after he confirmed past allegations of sexual harassment,[13][14] later asking Wu to rejoin the race.[15] Wu lost the by-election to Kuomintang candidate Hsu Chih-jung [zh].[16] By October 2017, Wu was considered a probable DPP candidate for the Miaoli County magistracy to be contested in November 2018.[17]

Political stances

As a legislator, Wu continued her advocacy of gender equality and women's rights.[18] She stated in February 2012 that military academies should not bar women who have undergone oophorectomies or hysterectomies from admittance.[19] She opposed an April 2012 amendment to the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act submitted by Chi Kuo-tung proposing that legislative seats reserved for women be filled by women only, in cases that the original female candidate cannot take office, even if the candidate with the next-highest vote share is male.[20] In August, Wu participated in a protest calling for Japan to apologize for the use of comfort women during World War II.[21] Wu has criticized mother-child bonding programs offered by some hospitals as inflexible.[22] In 2013, she pushed for amendments to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act recognizing violence between unmarried partners who do not live together as a crime.[23] Wu has attempted to broaden the rage of services offered to people affected by domestic violence, stating that her efforts "can change the chain of factors that lead to an environment of domestic violence and prevent future cases from happening."[24] Wu also backed harsher penalties for distributors of revenge porn.[25][26]

Wu is a staunch proponent of healthcare reform. She berated the government for mandating supplementary premiums in April 2012,[27] and derided proposed revisions to the Medical Care Act that made medical providers less susceptible to malpractice lawsuits.[28] In January 2014, Wu drew attention to the ineffectiveness of a voluntary accreditation process for aesthetic medical facilities by revealing that some accredited clinics had been advertising platelet-rich plasma treatments, which had not yet been legalized.[29]

Wu is supportive of judicial reform,[30][31] and has accused the Taiwanese judiciary of politicizing cases.[32] Additionally, she has routinely spoken out against other abuses of government power, namely land expropriation,[33] use of surveillance,[34] police brutality,[35] and ignorance of checks and balances.[36] Her statements on related topics included continual reprimands issued to the Special Investigation Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for several of its actions.[37][38][39] In September 2013, when it was revealed that the SID had wiretapped Ker Chien-ming,[40] a legislative investigation was launched.[41] Findings included that only 208 of more than 500,000 wiretaps since 2007 were monitored via judicial inquiry.[42] Wu then suggested a single department at the Taiwan High Court be established to oversee wiretapping,[43] and later helped pass a bill regulating the use of wiretaps.[44] Wu has also advocated for the dissolution of the Control Yuan.[45][46] She is opposed to the mass reduction of prison sentences, citing high recidivism rates among prisoners with shorter sentences.[47][48]

Her other interests include labor rights and compensation for workers in the public and service sectors,[49][50] such as police and teachers,[51][52] the environment,[53][54] and preservation of Hakka culture.[55][56]

Personal life

Wu has one child.[22]

References

  1. ^ 吳伊哲; 彭富洋 (30 July 2015). "菜市場名「吳美惠」擋姻緣 吳宜臻改名找到歸屬" (in Chinese). SET News. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Wu Yi-chen (8)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  3. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (5 August 2001). "Study shows men hesitant to seek help for depression". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  4. ^ Chuang, Jimmy (23 February 2004). "Rights group complains about Fung rape matter". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  5. ^ Wang, Chris (14 July 2011). "DPP finalizes list of nominees for at-large positions". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  6. ^ Chung, Jack (11 August 2011). "Protesters indicted for rail protest". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  7. ^ Wang, Chris (24 April 2014). "DPP's Tsai calls for fuel rod moratorium at Gongliao plant". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  8. ^ Wang, Chris (5 May 2014). "DPP's Lin leading Hu in Taichung race: poll". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  9. ^ Chang, Hsun-teng; Chung, Jake (15 September 2014). "INTERVIEW: DPP's Miaoli candidate Wu touts legislative record". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  10. ^ Lii, Wen (30 November 2014). "2014 ELECTIONS: Lin Chih-chien of the DPP edges by in Hsinchu City win". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  11. ^ Su, Fang-ho; Fu, Chao-piao (17 December 2014). "Wu Yi-chen yields to Sunflower Chen in Miaoli poll". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  12. ^ Hsiao, Alison (21 December 2014). "Sunflower's Chen would win Miaoli race, poll says". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  13. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (25 December 2014). "DPP undecided on Chen Wei-ting for Miaoli seat". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  14. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (27 December 2014). "DPP mulling candidate for Miaoli by-election". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  15. ^ "DPP decides on Miaoli candidate". Taipei Times. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  16. ^ Hsiao, Alison; Loa, Iok-sin; Chen, Wei-han (8 February 2015). "By-elections: DPP keeps 3 seats, KMT 2". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  17. ^ Chen, Wei-han (19 October 2017). "DPP eyes KMT strongholds in next year's elections". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  18. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (1 November 2013). "Council promotes gender bias: DPP". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  19. ^ Wang, Chris (21 February 2012). "MND faces accusations of gender discrimination". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  20. ^ Tseng, We-chen (16 April 2012). "Proposed election law amendment to be reviewed". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  21. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (16 August 2012). "Protesters call for Japanese apology over World War II 'comfort women'". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  22. ^ a b Loa, Iok-sin (13 May 2013). "Mothers urge program flexibility". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  23. ^ Wang, Chris (24 June 2013). "Partner abuse law change urged". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  24. ^ Sam Sky Wild (26 February 2014). "Violence shatters myth of domestic bliss". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  25. ^ Chung, Jake (13 February 2014). "Lawmaker wants tougher penalties for revenge porn". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  26. ^ Lin, Enru (14 February 2014). "On Valentine's Day, consider couples counseling". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  27. ^ Wang, Chris (6 April 2012). "DPP attacks government on second-generation NHI". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  28. ^ Lee, I-chia (20 December 2012). "Medical Care Act amendment panned for favoring doctors". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  29. ^ Hsiao, Alison (25 January 2014). "Medical facility certificate system is a failure: group". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  30. ^ Lin, Shu-hui (14 March 2012). "Ministry seeks to seal up officials' retirement loophole". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  31. ^ Chen, Ching-min; Chung, Jake (16 April 2013). "Lawmakers urge judicial reform". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  32. ^ Pan, Jason (14 September 2014). "DPP, groups decry lack of action in Taitung graft case". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  33. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (10 August 2013). "DPP head pledges to amend land acts". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  34. ^ Wang, Chris (30 August 2013). "NSB accused of compiling watch list of protesters". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  35. ^ Wang, Chris (15 June 2012). "Police in Miaoli accused of using excessive force". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  36. ^ Wang, Chris (4 September 2012). "Data act implementation unconstitutional: experts". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  37. ^ Chung, Jake (28 December 2012). "Prosecutor-General defends actions of investigation body". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  38. ^ Wang, Chris (21 October 2013). "SID unconstitutional, illegitimate: experts". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  39. ^ Chang, Rich; Wang, Chris (22 October 2013). "Committee slams SID for meeting no-show". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  40. ^ Tseng, Wei-chen; Chung, Jake (28 September 2013). "DPP reveals more wiretap details". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  41. ^ "Legislative group may start probe into Ker's case". Taipei Times. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  42. ^ Wang, Pei-lin; Chung, Jake (5 October 2013). "Ma-Wang Showdown: Judges rubberstamp wiretap applications: lawmakers". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  43. ^ Wang, Chris (4 November 2013). "DPP proposes a central wiretapping authority". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  44. ^ Shih, Hsiu-chuan (15 January 2014). "Legislature passes wiretap restrictions". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  45. ^ Su, Fang-ho; Tseng, Wei-chen; Hsu, Stacy (30 November 2013). "Abolish the Control Yuan: lawmakers". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  46. ^ Chen, Ching-min; Hsu, Stacy (8 January 2014). "Top prosecutor escapes impeachment". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  47. ^ Wang, Wen-hsuan; Chiu, Yen-ling; Wang, Yu-chung; Su, Yong-yao. "KMT legislator's proposal to free prisoners criticized". Taipei Times.
  48. ^ Pan, Jason (1 May 2015). "Luo mulls release of some prisoners". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  49. ^ Shih, Hsiu-chuan (3 October 2013). "Leased worker issues to be addressed by new act". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  50. ^ Wang, Chris (8 May 2013). "DPP urges fairness in insurance fund reform". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  51. ^ Hsiao, Alison (16 June 2013). "Educarers not treated fairly: lawmakers, union". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  52. ^ Chang, Rich (10 June 2014). "Police understaffed, overworked: lawmaker". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  53. ^ Lee, I-chia (8 August 2012). "Halt funeral park to help protect cats, activists say". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  54. ^ Lee, I-chia (25 January 2013). "Residents protest reservoir project". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  55. ^ Lin, Shu-hui; Pan, Jason (7 October 2012). "Hakka set to be included in civil service entrance exam". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  56. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (22 July 2013). "Miaoli officials urged to respect Hakka culture". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
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